You image needs to be Square!

Please crop your image below, then save using the green button, or cancel using the red X

My girl Sophie, by Joan Saliskas

Sophie never was a lap cat or a cat who purred – until the last nine months of her life. In March 2021, Sophie unexpectedly started jumping on my lap and purring. I was shocked because she had never done that in the almost 17 years we had been together. She had been a feisty adventurer, but not a purring lap cat. I thought that perhaps Sophie was comforting me in my grief – my cat Percy had died a few months before – and that she was also receiving comfort. Or perhaps she was affected by an exercise I had just learned – to just sit and be present with your animal. The first day I sat and was present with Sophie was the day that she first jumped on my lap and purred. Whatever the reason, everything changed from then on for Sophie and me.

Then in September 2021, Sophie was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and was given a few days to a few months to live. After that, she took every opportunity to lie on top of me as I lay on my sofa, and she kneaded me and purred as she fell asleep. I started sleeping on my sofa every night so that Sophie could have me to herself and not be disturbed in my bed by my other cat, Middie. I think Sophie knew she was dying, and we both wanted as much time together as possible.

And so for three months, every night Sophie lay on top of me, kneading me, purring, purring, and purring as she fell asleep. I am so grateful for this gift of her love, and I will never forget those bittersweet nights.

Sophie was euthanized at home on December 3, 2021. I miss her presence. I miss her lying on top of me and purring.

As I told her many times in her final months, she will always be my girl.

Archives

Are you sure you want to Log Out?

Webinar: A Conversation on Pet Loss with Author E.B. Bartels

Join us for this exciting event

Rainbow Bridge
Memorial Celebration

In honor of Rainbow Bridge Memorial Day (August 28), we are offering a 20% discount on Silver and Platinum memberships throughout the entire month of August.

By joining us, you will have the unique opportunity to create a lasting online memorial for your pet, complete with photos and stories you can cherish.

Live Webinar

Navigating Pet Loss & Grief

Thursday, June 6th, 2024
7:00 pm – 8:00 pm Eastern

Sponsored by:

Navigating Pet Loss & Grief, hosted by Moose’s
March, this webinar is designed to support pet
owners through the difficult journey and depth of
pet loss, anticipatory grief and understanding
guilt. This webinar will also provide 3 key
takeaways for the management of grief,
Featuring insights from renowned experts
Colleen Rolland, Association of Pet Loss and
Bereavement and Dr. Nancy Curotto, Pet Loss &
Bereavement Specialist. Attendees will have an
opportunity to ask questions of the experts.

Special Holiday Schedule

We understand that the holidays can be a difficult time for pet parents missing their fur babies. APLB will be extending our hours this year to help you – we’ll get through this together.

Chat Room

Sun Dec 24: 2 – 4 pm EST
Sun Dec 24: 8 – 10 pm EST
Mon Dec 25: 8 – 10 pm EST
Tues Dec 26: 8 – 10 pm EST
Wed Dec 27: 8 – 10 pm EST
Fri Dec 29: 8 – 10 pm EST
Sun Dec. 31: 2 – 4 pm EST
Sun. Dec 31: 8 – 10 pm EST
Mon Jan 1: 8 – 10 pm EST

Video Support Group

Sat Dec 9: 7- 9 pm EST
Sun Dec 10: 7- 8:30 EST
Sat Dec. 23: 7 – 9 pm EST

This year the Association of Pet Loss & Bereavement (APLB) is participating in Giving Tuesday, December 3rd. Giving Tuesday is a global generosity movement, unleashing the power of people and organizations to transform their communities and the world. 

Please give generously. Together, we can make a difference in the lives of those grieving the loss of their cherished pets.

This year the Association of Pet Loss & Bereavement (APLB) is participating in Giving Tuesday, on December 3rd. Giving Tuesday is a global generosity movement, unleashing the power of people and organizations to transform their communities and the world. 

Please give generously. Together, we can make a difference in the lives of those grieving the loss of their cherished pets.